Jeffrey Glen Millns

It is with great sadness that the family of Jeffrey Glen Millns announces his passing on Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at the age of 67 years. He was born March 29, 1950, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of the late John Louis Millns Sr. and the late Elaine C. (Kurek) Millns. and stepson of Sandy Millns, who survives. He was one of five siblings. Jeff attended Gesu Catholic Grade School, where he served as an altar boy, and St. Francis de Sales High School. He also attended University of Toledo from 1968 to 1970 and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in horticulture and was a member of Pi Alpha XI honor society. Jeff’s career was sparked by his early education at St. Francis de Sales, coupled with an introduction to horticulture with an Eagle Scout banquet sponsorship by Schramm’s Flowers, one of Toledo’s oldest businesses, transitioning him into a career that spanned more than 50 years. In 1976, Jeff followed his passion and purchased Joe I. Cooper Florist. He later added two other locations, in Waterville and at One SeaGate in Toledo. Jeff served on the boards of numerous organizations, including past president and member of Allied Florists of Toledo; past vice president and board member of the Toledo Animal Shelter; past president and member of the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce; charter member of the Waterville Downtown Development Committee; Ohio State Alumni Association; Ohio State Floriculture and Landscape Horticulture Alumni Association; the Clear Lake Yacht Club; Brandywine Country Club; and the Waterville Historical Society. He also supported David’s House’s annual charity event. Jeff’s happiest times seemed to be when he was surrounded by loved ones. With his sense of humor and witty sarcasm, he was always the life of the party. He paid particular attention to every person in the room, whether they were 6 or 65 years old. A selfless man with a big heart, he made it a priority to include everyone, especially at holidays, and make sure guests were introduced to one another. He took pleasure in setting an immaculate table for special gatherings. He created grand meals and always made sure to arrange for someone to run leftovers over to the neighbors. His homes were casual and inviting, yet usually looked like a page out of a magazine, filled with art and beautiful décor and furnishings. They held so many memories over the years, from engagement parties and baptism luncheons to Thanksgiving dinners and New Year’s Eve bashes. The bar was always well stocked and the kitchen full of gourmet goodies that he made with love. His happy place was his Clear Lake, Indiana, cottage, which was the scene of countless epic summer gatherings that will live on in the memories of everyone lucky enough to be in attendance. His tours around the lakeshore at 0.2 mph in his beloved pontoon boat, usually with a drink in hand and his dogs peeking over the edge, were a legendary rite of passage for guests, as he slowed to wave hello to neighbors and give updates on other cottages and the families that lived in them. Jeff will be lovingly remembered by his stepmother, Sandy Millns, brother John Jr. (Jennifer) Millns and his children, Matthew (Lindsey) Millns, Maureen (Chuck) Pollitzer, and Laura Millns; twin sister Susan C. (Norman) VanWagner and her children, Tricia (Jennifer) VanWagner and Molly (Gary) Petersen; sister Nancy Ransom, and her children, Alex Brown, Tyler Brown and Emily (Shea) Corzatt. He also is survived by great-nieces and -nephews John Patrick, Colleen, Charlie, Teddy, Nina, Kale, Reid, Quin, Isaac, Gabriel and Brooklyn. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mark C. Millns, and brother-in-law Robert Ransom. Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2018, at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (just west of Corey Ave.), Toledo. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Gesu Catholic Church, 2049 Parkside Blvd., Toledo. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park, 6382 Monroe St., Sylvania. Memorial donations in memory of Jeff may be made to the Toledo Animal Shelter Association, 640 Wyman St., Toledo, OH 43609.